In 2024, the CBSE considered a proposal to incorporate Open Book Exams into the education system. In other words, trials for open book exams for classes 9 to 12 will begin probably begin this year. These exams will be conducted on a trial basis for some specific subjects. The future course of action will then be determined. Reading people's comments on social media about this enhanced my understanding that open book exams are already prevalent in the West. Their social structure is such that people prefer taking open book exams. However, here, exams are synonymous with education and life itself. That is, our entire education and life revolve around exams. Since the implementation of NEP 2020 by Mr. Narendra Modi, an era of changes in the education system has begun. Open book exams are also a link in this chain. Now, with the entire focus being shifted to students and efforts to integrate humanities with science are at their peak, transforming the education system into a system for life is a welcome step.
If we talk about the past years, the education system prevalent at that time was more or less in sync with that era. But now, considering the complexities of the times, it has become essential to change the ways of life. Just as economic changes are occurring alongside political changes, it is now extremely necessary to bring changes to the education system.
In line with the proverb "Better late than never," and given that the echoes of change are present in the air everywhere, a brief review of the extent to which open book exams are beneficial is being presented in the following lines.
First is the elimination of the fear of exams. The biggest advantage of open book exams is that they will provide some breaths of relief to students from exams that seem like death. Students will now learn to study the books in their curriculum in a different way. The habit of rote learning will diminish. Critical thinking will develop. The skill to rise above mere facts will emerge. It will provide the facility to look at things from a new perspective. Instead of fearing the questions asked within and at the end of lessons, students will be able to frame questions themselves. An environment can be created where ideas can be exchanged freely. Students can now view established facts with scepticism. In other words, students can now disagree with principles that were once considered set in stone. This will open closed windows of the mind.
Second is the study of books beyond the syllabus. In the traditional education system, answers to questions were memorized from guidebooks and ready-made notes available in the market, leading to full marks in exams. However, open book exams believe in establishing one's own unique perspective by studying books by various authors, rather than memorizing questions in the traditional way. Students will get the opportunity to read authors like Orhan Pamuk, Margaret Atwood, John Galsworthy, George Bernard Shaw, Arvind Adiga, Toni Morrison, Stephen King, etc., which will help build a different kind of world. Furthermore, it will provide a great opportunity to become familiar with the nuances of language, which will aid in knowing and understanding the realities of life up close. But here, masterpiece books are gathering dust in shops. Due to the flawed education system, no one inquires about them. Their condition is going from bad to worse. The pearls hidden in these books ultimately face the fate of a scrap heap.
Third is the changing role of teachers. In the traditional education system and traditional exams, success was achieved by accepting specific points and principles as the ultimate truth. Teachers also did not familiarize themselves with new ideas. Their thinking was limited. They would memorize certain specific points before teaching the children and convey them to the students. There was a vast distance between students and teachers. But today, the opposite is true. The distance between students and teachers has become meaningless. Now, students are ten steps ahead of the teachers. Students have read books that sometimes don't even cross the teachers' minds. Thus, the open book exam is an important means of keeping teachers on tenterhooks. To become an expert in their subject, teachers will now have to build a deep relationship with books themselves. The days are gone when students could be scolded or rebuked arbitrarily. A temperament for weighing every matter is developing and this temperament will be found in future generations as well.
Fourth is education for Life. Now, the open book exam will prepare students for living life. A superficial study of things is now a cause for shame. The spirit of the times demands that things be observed in depth. This will provide an opportunity to look at life in depth as well. It will provide the breadth to understand the intricacies of life. It will offer a chance to examine and assess both sides of a coin. What is the real purpose of life? That purpose can also be understood to some extent through this open book exam. When diversity is found in every sphere of life, the open book exam will also help in understanding the diversity found in life.
Everyone should welcome this welcome step. It is still going through its trial phase and still has to pass through various stages to take the form of a law, but nevertheless, it is a beneficial step towards progress. Traditional exams have taken the lives of many students and turned many others into mental patients. Millions of students suffer from anxiety and worry. The reason is solely the cut-throat examinations that turn a student into a machine and make them dull-minded. Therefore, considering the delicacy of the time, we should all accept these measures wholeheartedly and sincerely. We can no longer bear the depression and anxiety in the name of education. The world is now rushing headlong towards the pinnacle of artificial intelligence. The value of humans is diminishing every day. Artificial intelligence is putting all its effort into replacing humans. In these circumstances, education must be prepared to face the present and upcoming challenges. This initiation must begin with the students, who are our future asset. In this regard, if we wish to see the holistic development of students flourishing properly, we all must fully support the measures that contain the potential to secure our future. The open book exam is a living example of this. One may disagree with the points included in this article. We hope that this new step taken by the CBSE proves to be a ray of hope for the country's education system

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